Governor’s Proposed Healthcare Plan
Promises Benefits for Thousands with HIV/AIDS

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) applauds the initiative unveiled today by Governor Rod Blagojevich to provide affordable health insurance to every Illinois citizen.

“This is an historic moment,” said Mark Ishaug, AFC’s executive director. “Quite simply, the governor’s healthcare expansion plan has the potential to reverse the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Illinois.”

Under the proposal, called “Illinois Covered,” approximately 20,000 Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS would be among the tens of thousands of low- and moderate income state residents who would receive comprehensive health insurance coverage once the program is fully implemented.

According to federal estimates, half of all people living with HIV in the U.S. receive no medical care whatsoever for their HIV-related medical needs. Without access to healthcare, HIV can quickly accelerate its progression to AIDS, contributing to costly and preventable end-of-life emergency visits and hospitalizations.

“When it comes to HIV/AIDS, healthcare access saves lives, saves money, and helps slow the spread of the epidemic,” said AFC Associate Director David Ernesto Munar. “We urge members of the Illinois General Assembly to swiftly enact ‘Illinois Covered’ so that every person in our state can benefit from life-extending healthcare. This is a matter of basic dignity and human rights.”

The Illinois General Assembly will consider the governor’s proposal as it crafts the FY08 state fiscal year budget over the next three months. If enacted, preliminary phases of Illinois Covered could begin to be implemented later this year.

Illinois Covered website